sep_22__1983.html

PIX #2 - ...But it only cost Andrew Emerine $500 to
have a house built.

Ray Dell's name is well-known in Fostoria for many
reasons...among them being his contribution to "Potluck" from his
photographic collection.

Quite often when I return borrowed photos, we converse
on a variety of subjects, and it isn't unusual for Ray to be reminded
of something he has picked up at an auction, in which case he "shows
and tells."

Today's column is about some of those items and perhaps
others that have come to my attention.

One of the accompanying photos shows a stock certificate
for the Fostoria Foundry and Machine Company, which was among other
items Dell received when he bought a parcel at auction.

Fostoria Foundry and Machine Company came into existence
in 1904, when the horseless carriage was first being introduced,
and financiers where interest- ed in investing in companies to manufacture
them. The specific interest of FF&M was to produce gasoline engines,
according to an early directory.

FF&M had Wm. A. Jones as its president, Nicholas Portz
as secretary and Walter Wainwright as general manager. The factory
was located on East North Street and the T&OC tracks...at least
that was the location given in the city direc- tory for 1904. I
believe the building may have been just east of the Hocking Valley
tracks at North.

The company wa capitalized at $25,000, probably a
reasonable sum for that period of time. However, when the next city
directory was published in 1908, the company was no longer in existence.
Evidently it didn't take long for the officers of the company to
discover that Henry Ford and other companies, with know-how and
finances, were entering the automotive field, and that com- petition
would be keen.

Two other Fostoria companies to start making autos
later were Seneca Light Car and Allen Motor Co., both of which were
written up in "Potluck" articles March 12, 1981, and Nov. 12, 1981.

Who was Wm. A. Jones, president of FF&M? The 1904
directory listed him as a "boarder" at 242 W. Tiffin St. Of course,
Nicholas Portz was a well-known and established businessman and
industrialist in Fostoria.

At any rate, Andrew Emerine, a banker here at the
time, was willing to invest $500 in the FF&M.

According to Dan McGinnis, director or Kaubisch Memorial
Public Library, FF&M was apparently listed in an early directory
of car manufacturers. As recently as a year ago, two journalists,
one in Bowling Green and one in New York, had written to him seeking
information about FF&M. They wanted to know if that company had
been successful in producing cars in that early era, and if any
car were still around as relics.

LOW COST HOUSE BUILDING

How would you like to get a house built for $500?

That's another interesting bit that was divulged on
a receipt which was also in the possession of Ray Dell, as part
of a parcel of items bought at a sale.

The receipt, reproduced in today's column, tells its
own story of how reason- ably a house could be built in 1883.

Andrew Emerine Sr., who started The First National
Bank and was mentioned in the Sandusky Street series, was the one
who got a house built at a bargain price...at least at today's standards.

Koss must have been the father of Fred Koss, who in
later years was connected with Koss and German Lumber Co., and was
located where P-K Lumber is now on West North Street.

TEETH REPAIRS AT LOW COST

Another interesting item among Dell's collection was
a receipt indicating how expensive dental work was back in 1882.

Mrs. A. Emerine had dental work done in the office
of Howell and O'Brien, den- tists.

The first item was "To reset upper teeth for Mrs.
Emerine, $6," and the second item was for "five platinum fillings
(Sarah), $5'."

Five platinum fillings would cost a fortune today
if platinum was available.

Those were the good old days...or were they?

READER FEEDBACK

LETTER FROM ALVIRA WILLIAMS

Alvira was mentioned in the Sandusky Street series.
She lived with her fami- ily at 205 Sandusky St. I have known Alvira
since we were kids. She was closer to the age of my younger sister,
Virginia.

Here are some excerpts from her letter:

"Dear Paul, I'm beginning to believe there is something
to this mental tele- pathy business. I've thought of writing to
you and then here comes your let- ter.

"Through your article giving my address I got in touch
with a childhood friend I had lost track of, Helen Roby Williams
(no relation). She lived just through the alley on Fremont Street.
As children we played together. Our parents were good friends and
my brother and Helen's brothers went together. She read your column
and wrote to me, sending the article. It was wonderful to make contact
with a childhood friend.

"Helen's father had a shop back of the house, with
carpets, linoleum, etc. It was fun to play there in the smells of
his shop. You could even be on a fly- ing carpet if the fancy led
that way. After going away I lost track of Helen and was so happy
to make contact again...thanks to you.

"The article Helen sent brought back many memories.
My grandparents came from Pennsylvania to Ohio when Fostoria was
Rome and Risdon. When the two united it was named after Gov. Foster,
who was related to my grandmother. My memory is full of stories
of the early days...some said and many funny.

"After graduation I went to Columbus for nurses training
and have only been back to visit cousins and friends, except for
one year when my mother was sick. Later, she came to North Carolina
where I was working and lived with me until her death.

"Thanks again for your thoughtfulness. Maybe sometime
when I'm in Fostoria we could have a chat together, Alvira."

P.S. After this column was written, my wife attended
her class reunion, (1927), and reported that Helen Roby (Williams),
one of her classmates was present. She lives at 230 E. Findlay St.,
Carey.